***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

I think it's a little of both. He clearly is struggling mentally and technically, he's missing a lot of easy chances. He has moments where you see his pre-injury form, but sadly, he's not effective these days.

And it's frustrating, because those flashes of pre-injury form make me believe that he's capable of playing at that level. But if he can't do it consistently then he is a liability. Ideally if we can sign a striker, that might take the pressure off.

[Salhus]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

well to be fair there both valid points
its not going to matter soon as it looks like Gael is starting Wednesday night in Bolton Part 2

as ive said of more concern is Eduardo's form he's had a solid run of games he's been played wide left just to get him some game time without the stresses of playing up front but his touch and finishing has been terrible cant decide if he's still getting over the injury or if the injury has changed him permanently

I really think it's permanent

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Top of the table!

Man, its been a while since we could say that.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Arshavin scored, and it really struck me how much having Clichy back helped his offense, as it was mentioned in this thread that Clichy brings about an attacking game on the left side of the pitch (which was non-existent with Traore) and that was really evident this game, making a huge difference offensively.

Yes one goal shouldn't have counted (with the foul by Gallas) but we won by more than one goal so it didn't matter.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Arshavin scored, and it really struck me how much having Clichy back helped his offense, as it was mentioned in this thread that Clichy brings about an attacking game on the left side of the pitch (which was non-existent with Traore) and that was really evident this game, making a huge difference offensively.

Yes one goal shouldn't have counted (with the foul by Gallas) but we won by more than one goal so it didn't matter.

I think the stone cold penalty against Cesc kinda evened things out as well. At this point, I'm pretty sure anything short of one of our players getting stabbed inside of the box is going to get waved, play on, by the referees.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

What a second half performance by you lads. Must say though Gallas' tackle was shocking to say the least. You're a totally different side when you have Gael Clichy in the team. rsnomar05 is dead right when he said Arshavin plays at a different level when Clichy is back there.

The big tests for you guys is coming up. After your FA Cup game with Stoke your next four League fixtures:

@ Aston Villa
Manchester United
@ Chelsea
Liverpool

Then @ Porto in the Champions' League

If you can keep Cesc and Clichy fit you've got a good chance of maintaining this lead. To be honest I'm surprised you are where you are without the firepower of RVP and Bendtner. You are getting goals from everyone. Props for that.

[Perceptor]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

It was a nice 2nd half, but the game itself was well played by both teams. Credit to Coyle for not trying to defend. They played an open game.

The fixture list is brutal, but I think the games at home against United and Liverpool are winnable. I thought we should have beat United in the 1st game and Liverpool these days are unpredictable. They can play well like they did against Spurs or brutal like they did against Reading....

I'm happy we're top of the table now It's a nice feeling again. Imagine how we'd do if all the players were fully fit

Sucks that Diaby was hurt last night though

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

What a second half performance by you lads. Must say though Gallas' tackle was shocking to say the least. You're a totally different side when you have Gael Clichy in the team. rsnomar05 is dead right when he said Arshavin plays at a different level when Clichy is back there.

The big tests for you guys is coming up. After your FA Cup game with Stoke your next four League fixtures:

@ Aston Villa
Manchester United
@ Chelsea
Liverpool

Then @ Porto in the Champions' League

If you can keep Cesc and Clichy fit you've got a good chance of maintaining this lead. To be honest I'm surprised you are where you are without the firepower of RVP and Bendtner. You are getting goals from everyone. Props for that.

Yeah this fixture list could make or break the season, because if we drop points left and right we'll be in trouble, but I think the Liverpool game (given their injuries and recent form) is Arsenal's for the taking, Villa and Man Utd. are beatable, and while Chelsea beat Arsenal handily earlier this year, I think Arsenal will really be up for the game and will put in a better performance. Especially since they are much healthier than the first time around. The game should definately be closer.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

So Coyle categorized the Gallas tackle as an assault and blasted the "full of fair-play" Arsenal for playing on.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/21/gallas-tackle-coyle-wenger-arsenal

Give me a break. If Arsenal had believed he was seriously injured, they likely would have played the ball out. But as the Ref had just said there was no foul, how were they supposed to suspect serious injury? Especially at the rate players dive in this league. And now there's talk of the FA sanctioning Gallas. Arsenal just can't do anything right in the eyes of the soccer world, it seems. And of course when Denilson collapsed, there were no complaints over the play-on. I don't think there should have been complaints, but it is so hypocritical. The announcers yesterday were going on and on about how Arsene always complains about bad fouls and he is such a hypocrite now that his player has done it. Well guess what? Arsene apologized about the foul. But that's not enough. They want sanctions to. Give me a break. It was a bad foul, the ref should have seen it, but it didn't matter in the outcome of the game as Arsenal won by more than one goal. If I were Bolton I'd be upset, pissed even, but this is going too far.

[Mo]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Yeah there is no defending Gallas on that tackle attempt.

Assault is harsh, but the way I would describe it, as there was a purpsose in that tackle, winning the ball wasn't it.

That being said, you don't kick the ball out/stop play unless the ref says so.

[Perceptor]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Gallas is likely to escape punishment anyway. It's done and dusted. Coyle should be more mad at his team for blowing a 2 goal lead.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Yeah there is no defending Gallas on that tackle attempt.

Assault is harsh, but the way I would describe it, as there was a purpsose in that tackle, winning the ball wasn't it.

That being said, you don't kick the ball out/stop play unless the ref says so.

No doubt that was a horrendous tackle by Gallas and couldn't argue if he was banned a match. But to get mad because we played on, like you said, is stupid.

What a second half performance by you lads. Must say though Gallas' tackle was shocking to say the least. You're a totally different side when you have Gael Clichy in the team. rsnomar05 is dead right when he said Arshavin plays at a different level when Clichy is back there.

The big tests for you guys is coming up. After your FA Cup game with Stoke your next four League fixtures:

@ Aston Villa
Manchester United
@ Chelsea
Liverpool

Then @ Porto in the Champions' League

If you can keep Cesc and Clichy fit you've got a good chance of maintaining this lead. To be honest I'm surprised you are where you are without the firepower of RVP and Bendtner. You are getting goals from everyone. Props for that.

There is no way that we remain top of the table after those 4 fixtures. But as long as we stay within 3 points I think we will be in fine shape.

[rsnomar05]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Arseblog was hilarious today.

http://www.oleole.com/blogs/arseblog/posts/vile-din-offends-injury-updates--arsecast-147

With the FA confirming no further action will be taken against William Gallas there are two important lessons for Bolton to learn. 1 - Play the whistle. 2 - Shut the f*** up and concentrate on winning your next game instead of wallowing in the aftermath of a defeat like a masochistic piglet. Owen Coyle's chances of taking Jack Wilshere on loan are now less than zero after he threw an almighty strop at the final whistle on Wednesday night. The idea of Arsene loaning a player to a manager who acts like the spoiled brat from Willy Wonka is laughable.

Extreme? Yes.
Hilarious? Also yes.

[Qb]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Bummer, out of the FA Cup early in a year in which some of the other big boys also crashed out. Oh well, with all the injuries and the brutal league schedule looming, it was bad spot to be in.

Take this FWIW, but according to the player's agent (we know he wouldn't lie), Arsene was sniffing around veteran keeper Jan Mucha. Sky Sports reports he signed a pre-contract with Everton to be Tim Howard's backup/insurance policy.

[ZM Punk]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal "Gunners" Thread***

Theo and Vela just aren't getting it done, plain and simple.